Project Manager

Aviation; Wellington, Auckland; Hybrid; NZD 116,000 - 142,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

KiwiSaver up to 4%

Vision assistance

Employee Assistance Programme

Job summary

The Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) of New Zealand is seeking a skilled project professional for a 16-month fixed-term opportunity. You will support the business transformation programme, leading initiatives across the organisation and partnering with leaders, subject matter experts and stakeholders to deliver meaningful change.

You'll manage plans, governance and delivery across multiple projects, ensuring outcomes are embedded and benefits tracked.

Qualifications

• Experience delivering projects or complex programmes.
• Strong planning, coordination and organisational skills.
• Ability to engage and influence stakeholders at all levels.
• Confidence leading cross-functional teams to achieve shared outcomes.
• Experience identifying, managing and mitigating project risks.
• Sound judgement and problem-solving in dynamic environments.
• Ability to balance competing priorities while maintaining quality delivery.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Proficiency using project management tools and Microsoft Office applications.

Responsibilities

• Lead projects from initiation through to successful completion.
• Develop project plans, schedules, budgets and delivery frameworks.
• Facilitate workshops to define requirements, scope and project outcomes.
• Build and lead project teams across multiple business areas.
• Monitor project performance, risks, issues and dependencies.
• Manage project governance, reporting and decision-making processes.
• Drive stakeholder engagement and effective communication activities.
• Support change management and successful adoption of project outcomes.
• Ensure project delivery aligns with established frameworks and standards.
• Lead project close-out activities, including lessons learned and benefits tracking.

Skills

Project management

Stakeholder engagement

Cross-functional leadership

Planning

Risk management

Communication

Tools

Microsoft Office

MS Project

Job description

Select how often (in days) to receive an alert:

At the Civil Aviation Authority, we don't just keep New Zealand's skies safe and secure, we help shape the future of aviation.

• Lead diverse projects with organisation-wide impact.
• Deliver meaningful change across aviation and corporate services.
• Join a collaborative team driving successful project outcomes.

About the Role

This 16-month fixed-term opportunity has arisen while a team member undertakes an internal secondment, creating an exciting chance to contribute to a range of high-profile organisational initiatives and projects. The role will support the delivery of key projects, primarily focusing on CAA’s business transformation programme currently underway.

The business transformation programme will help shape the future of the organisation and the aviation sector. With strong executive support and a clear mandate for change, this role offers the opportunity to contribute to meaningful organisational change while also supporting the successful delivery of key business priorities.

Working across CAA, you'll bring people together, manage competing priorities, and ensure projects are successfully planned, delivered and embedded. You’ll partner with leaders, subject matter experts and stakeholders to deliver lasting impact across the organisation.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead projects from initiation through to successful completion.
• Develop project plans, schedules, budgets and delivery frameworks.
• Facilitate workshops to define requirements, scope and project outcomes.
• Build and lead project teams across multiple business areas.
• Monitor project performance, risks, issues and dependencies.
• Manage project governance, reporting and decision-making processes.
• Drive stakeholder engagement and effective communication activities.
• Support change management and successful adoption of project outcomes.
• Ensure project delivery aligns with established frameworks and standards.
• Lead project close-out activities, including lessons learned and benefits tracking.

The salary band for this role is $115,536 - $141,751. Starting salaries are based on knowledge, skills and experience the successful candidate brings to the role, as well as internal relativities.

You'll be a highly organised project professional who enjoys working with a diverse range of stakeholders and delivering outcomes in a complex environment. You'll combine strong planning and communication skills with the ability to navigate ambiguity, build relationships and keep projects moving forward.

To succeed in this role, you'll demonstrate:

• Experience successfully delivering projects or complex programmes of work.
• Strong planning, coordination and organisational skills.
• The ability to engage and influence stakeholders at all levels.
• Confidence leading cross-functional teams to achieve shared outcomes.
• Experience identifying, managing and mitigating project risks.
• Sound judgement and problem-solving skills in dynamic environments.
• The ability to balance competing priorities while maintaining quality delivery.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Proficiency using project management tools and Microsoft Office applications.
• A collaborative, adaptable and outcomes-focused approach to work.

About Us

The Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) is New Zealand’s aviation safety and security regulator. We play a critical role in protecting the travelling public, supporting the aviation sector, and strengthening New Zealand’s international reputation.

Our vision is simple and powerful: A safe and secure aviation system - so people are safe and feel safe when they fly.

Our values - Professionalism, Respect, Integrity, Transparency, and Collaboration - guide everything we do. We're committed to fostering a diverse, inclusive, and supportive environment where everyone feels respected, safe, and valued. Our people are central to our success.

Why Join Us?

• Matching KiwiSaver contributions up to 4%
• Vision assistance
• Employee Assistance Programme

Ready to Apply?

This is an exciting opportunity to deliver projects that help strengthen the systems, services and capabilities that support New Zealand's aviation sector. If you're a skilled project professional looking for meaningful work and the chance to contribute to an organisation with a vital public purpose, we'd love to hear from you.

We want to ensure accessibility needs are well supported, so the recruitment process is fair and equitable for all. Please let us know if there is any support, we can provide to ensure the recruitment process is fully accessible to you.

If you have any questions about the role or application process, contact the Recruitment team at [e-mail].

Please be aware that we may start shortlisting as applications come in. We encourage early applications, as the advertisement may close sooner than stated.